This Land Is Your Land
Odetta Arlo Guthrie And Company & Will Geer - Narration Lyrics
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From the California to the New York island
From the Redwood Forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me
As I went walking that ribbon of highway
I saw above me that endless skyway
And saw below me that golden valley
This land was made for you and me
I roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
And all around me , a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me
When the sun comes shining, then I was strolling
In the wheat fields waving and dust clouds rolling
The voice was chanting as the fog was lifting
This land was made for you and me
This land is your land and this land is my land
From the California to the New York island
From the Redwood Forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me
When the sun comes shining, then I was strolling
In wheat fields waving and dust clouds rolling
The voice come chanting as the fog was lifting
This land was made for you and me
The song "This Land is Your Land" is a patriotic ballad by Woody Guthrie, recorded in 1944. The song is a response to the anthem “God Bless America” by Irving Berlin which Woody Guthrie thought did not represent the reality of American life. The song describes the beauty of America in its diverse regions, from California to New York and from the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters. The lyrics are a celebration of the land and a call for unity, as the land belongs to everyone.
The song's first chorus, "This land is your land, this land is my land," emphasizes the idea that America and its natural beauty belong to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, or social class. The song's verses describe Guthrie's travels across America, from the "ribbon of highway" to the "diamond deserts." The chorus repeats twice more, emphasizing the idea that America's beauty and resources are shared by all.
Throughout the song, Guthrie's lyrics convey a sense of optimism and hope, despite the hardships of the Great Depression and World War II. The song has become an American classic and has been sung at numerous events, including political rallies, sporting events, and concerts. It has also been covered by many artists in a variety of musical genres, from folk to rock to hip hop.
Line by Line Meaning
This land is your land, this land is my land
This is a land that belongs to all of us, no matter who we are.
From the California to the New York island
This extends from the West Coast to the East Coast of the United States.
From the Redwood Forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land stretches from majestic forests to serene waters of the ocean.
This land was made for you and me
This land was created to benefit all of us, regardless of our differences.
As I went walking that ribbon of highway
As I walked on a long and winding road.
I saw above me that endless skyway
I saw the vast expanse of the sky above me.
And saw below me that golden valley
I witnessed the beauty of a lush and fertile valley beneath me.
I roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps
I wandered and wandered, tracing the path of my own journey.
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
To the dazzling and shimmering sands of the desert.
And all around me, a voice was sounding
I heard a voice echoing and reverberating throughout my surroundings.
When the sun comes shining, then I was strolling
When the sun shone bright, I leisurely walked.
In the wheat fields waving and dust clouds rolling
Amid waving wheat fields with dust clouds swirling around me.
The voice was chanting as the fog was lifting
As the mist began to clear, I heard a voice singing in unison.
This land was made for you and me
This land was created for the benefit of everyone, not just a select group.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Woody Guthrie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind